13 Lessons in Journaling

This is dedicated to the lovely woman who asked the question.

I have been journaling since I was in fifth grade. Writing is cathartic to me. My journaling has change over the years but there are some things that have remained consistent and I believe they are helpful. If your goal is to journal in conjugation with Bible study, keep reading all the way to the end.

Lesson 1: Always write the date, including year, in each entry. Sometimes I find even writing the time of day is helpful.

Lesson 2: Try to give some background to the situation you are writing about. For example, if you are trying to process emotions of anger, write about the argument you had or what someone said that caused you to feel this.

Lesson 3: View your journal as a place of peace, solace, and sanctuary. This should be something that you can relax and do.

Lesson 4: Now is not the time to work on your spelling, grammar, and writing techniques. Just write.

Lesson 5: Write with a purpose. To remember, to sort through, to memorize and etc.

Lesson 6: Similar to Lesson 5, write for the future you. Hopefully, you will come back and read what you wrote. Express what you are learning through what is happening to you right now.

Lesson 7: Include quotes that inspire you and provoke you to think. Always cite your source.

Lesson 8: Use visual aides. Tape in train tickets, postcards, or a menu from the restaurant you ate in that day. This is another way to jog your memory when you go back to read the journal letter. It also makes things more aesthetically pleasing.

Journaling in conjugation with Bible study:

Lesson 1: Similar to Lesson 7 in ‘general journaling’, as you read write down verses that ‘stuck out’ to you (conviction, comfort etc.) If it is something you want to memorize make a note of that.

Lesson 2: Write down words or phrases that you notice the author using a lot.

Lesson 3: Write questions (you don’t have to have the answer). A question can be as simple as “why does the author keep saying this?”

Lesson 4: Find time to look for the answers and write those down.

Lesson 5:Aside from the notes on the Bible, take time to write down some of your prayer requests.

You DON’T have to write out every prayer or every thought. It is also not a sin to not journal. I find it encouraging to go back and read how God has worked in my life.

I’ll stress that there is not a wrong way to journal. Find your own style.

Do you have any journaling tips or tricks? What are they?